break down Copy link Outline I. Trans.1. dējĭcio, jēci, jectum., 3 to b. down a tower (of a ballista), turrim d., Auct. B. Hisp. Hor.2. rescindo, scĭdi, scissum, 3 (prop. to cut away). to b. down a rampart, vallum r. (scindere), Caes.3. destruo, xi, ctum, 3II. Intrans.1. haereo, haesi, haesum, 2 (lit. to stick fast)2. offendo, 3 • break down: I. Trans.: 1. dējĭcio, jēci, jectum., 3 to b. down a tower (of a ballista), turrim d., Auct. B. Hisp. Hor.: v. to overthrow, demolish. 2. rescindo, scĭdi, scissum, 3 (prop. to cut away). to b. down a rampart, vallum r. (scindere), Caes.: to b. down a bridge, pontem r., (also scindere, Tac.), Caes.: Liv. 3. destruo, xi, ctum, 3: to b. down a wall, murum d., Veg.: v. to demolish, destroy. Phr.: to b. down a bridge, pontem rumpere, Liv.; p. interrumpere, Caes.; p. interscindere, Caes.; p. solvere, Tac. Fig.. to b. down the restraints of superstition, relligionum nodos resolvere, Lucr.: to b. down all distinctions, miscere omnia, Cic. (v. to confuse).: broken down by misfortunes, calamitatibus fractus, Caes.. v. enfeebled, worn out. II. Intrans.: to fail, in speaking, etc.: 1. haereo, haesi, haesum, 2 (lit. to stick fast): you will b. down over a great many of the names (i. e. in the attempt to explain them), in multis nominibus h., Cic.: also, h. in salebra, Cic. Fin. 5, 28, 84: he preferred to confess his fault rather than that the authority of religion should b. down, peccatum suum confiteri maluit, quam haerere religionem, Cic. 2. offendo, 3: v. to fail. Phr.: to b. down under fatigue, etc., laboribus frangi, confici v. to enfeeble, WEAR OUT.